It’s a matchup written in the stars. The biggest stars in the American Association of Professional Baseball will take the field July 17 and 18 under the bright lights of Franklin Field. The home of the pun-tastic Milwaukee Milkmen, the 4,000-seat stadium will be the site of the week’s festivities, including the Home Run Derby and the AAPB All-Star Game. In eager anticipation of the big flies, pitching performances and dazzling displays of talent, we’ve created a baseball-themed itinerary designed to bring out the baseball buff in even the most casual fan.
Claim Your Dugout
With more than 19,500 hotel rooms throughout the Greater Milwaukee area, there's sure to be a hotel tailor-made for you and your crew. However, if you would like to stay within a 15-minute drive of the stadium, slide into Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee/Franklin (3-minute drive), Homewood Suites by Hilton Oak Creek Milwaukee (11 minutes), Staybridge Suites Milwaukee Airport South (12 minutes) or TownePlace Suites Milwaukee Oak Creek (14 minutes). Maybe you have something else in mind. With more than 189 properties throughout the area, there's no reason to balk. Book your stay today!
AAPB Home Run Derby
All-star festivities will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on July 17 with the Home Run Derby. Watch as the league's top sluggers go head-to-head in a heated battle for the title of Home Run Derby Champion in an exhibition of one of the most exciting plays in sports. From big flies to deep drives and wall-scrapers to hanging breakers, this is an event you won't want to miss.
Beyond the derby, the ballpark will offer all fans in attendance the opportunity to explore a wide range of craft beer and soda from over 15 breweries ranging from local craft brews to internationally recognized brewing brands.
Warm Up: Pilcrow Coffee
After a thrilling night of watching the fireworks at Franklin Field during the Home Run Derby, ease into the morning with a cup of Pilcrow Coffee. Located in the Bronzeville neighborhood, adjacent to Milwaukee’s downtown. All Pilcrow's coffees, syrups and sauces are made in-house, allowing the coffee shop to offer unique and delicious creations like their decadent, one-of-a-kind cold brew flight.
Starter: National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
One whimsical treat deserves another and at the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, you can explore their boundless collection of bobbleheads from historical icons to whimsical critters. Started by two brothers seeking to share their passion for bobbleheads with the world, the space spans decades of football, basketball and baseball history, a unique collection of music legends, pop culture icons and so much more. Find your all-time favorite baseball player and rove the aisles of this wonderfully eccentric museum.
Middle Reliever: J. Leinenkugel’s Barrell Yard
You just got called up! Make your way to the major leagues. At American Family Field, you may not be able to feast on a meaty hanging slider over the plate. Still, you can dine on a plate of buttermilk-brined and pressure-fried chicken tenders—otherwise known as Chicken Littles—a pastrami sandwich or the vegetarian caprese salad. Recently opened inside the stadium, in addition to the bustling energy of gameday inside American Family Field, the restaurant is also open on non-gamedays. Stop in, enjoy the view of the 43,000-seat stadium from left field and savor your major league moment.
Seize Your Major League Moment
Short Stop: Milwaukee Brewers Team Store
While you’re in the ballpark, stop by the Milwaukee Brewers Team Store and become a true-blue member of the Brew Crew…if only for a day. Packed with everything from authentic on-field gear to fun novelty items, pick up a souvenir to commemorate your visit to the Cream City.
Outfield: Hank Aaron State Trail
The legendary Hammerin’ Hank Aaron is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record of 755 career home runs in Atlanta during the spring of 1974, but the legendary outfielder spent the majority of his career right here in Milwaukee. Beginning with the then Milwaukee Braves in 1954, Hammerin' Hank spent his first 12 years in the Cream City. After the club moved to Atlanta, Aaron remained with the Braves until 1975, where he retired with the Milwaukee Brewer in 1976. In recognition of his greatness and importance in bringing home Milwaukee's first-ever championship in 1957, the city has commemorated Hank with a bike path that runs from the Menomonee Valley through Greenfield. Pick up a Bublr Bike from just outside the ballpark and take a spin on the trail.
First Base: Broken Bat Brewery
At Broken Bat Brewery, every visit is a home run. As the brewery’s name would suggest, Broken Bat is the city’s only baseball-themed brewery. With a slate of brews inspired by America’s pastime, with names like Helles Bells (Helles lager), Ball & Glove (cream ale), Harry Cherry (cherry hefeweizen) and Just A Wit Outside (Belgian citrus witbier), Broken Bat really knocks it out of the park as a place to hang out before the game. Looking to get some swings in? The brewery also features an immaculate indoor whiffle ball field designed to make you feel like an all-star.
Second Base: AJ Bombers
Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd, but at AJ Bombers, there's no need to buy the peanuts. They fly to your table in a metal canister as a pre-meal snack (Cracker Jacks not included). Fuel up for your big night of baseball in an approachable, family-friendly setting. With tried-and-true classics and new-to-you creations, there’s something to satiate your gameday cravings. From culinary creations for adventurous eaters like buffalo chicken eggrolls and burgers served with chunky peanut butter (Barrie), to the classic Wisconsin cheese curds and classic burgers, kick your AAPB All-Star experience right at AJ Bombers.
Third Base: Milwaukee Milkmen Team Store
Once you’ve arrived at Franklin Field, commemorate the occasion with a piece of all-star game merch or Milwaukee Milkmen memorabilia from the team store. Found just inside the main gate, pick from a wide selection of hats, t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, koozies and so much more.
Gear Up for the Game
Home: AAPB All-Star Game
Play Ball! The stars have aligned. The American Association of Professional Baseball's All-Star Game, presented by VISIT Milwaukee, Sports Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Milkmen, takes center stage at 6:35 p.m. Be a part of the action as the best of the American Association’s players dual for baseball supremacy under the bright lights of Franklin Field.
Get in the Game
Closer: Who’s on Third
If you're up for one more round to cap off your all-star experience in Milwaukee, head to a baseball-themed bar downtown entitled Who's on Third. A downtown staple, the bar also features a late-night dining menu with cheese curds, burgers, nachos, massive soft pretzels and much more to help you celebrate like an all-star and cap your MVP experience off in MKE.
That’s Ball Game
Let’s Play Two
Looking for a few extra innings? Or maybe you’d prefer a doubleheader? Set your dream lineup and plan your visit to Milwaukee today.
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